Property taxes going up in Raleigh and Wake County; here's how they'll use the money

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- June Lapore just moved to Raleigh after spending 11 years in Wake Forest.

"We closed on the house at the end of April," she said.

Lapore was fed up with the 45-minute daily commute in either direction.

She is settling into her new place as Wake County just approved a property tax hike and the City of Raleigh is looking to do the same.

"We are always paying for something, and it's kind of ridiculous, but I don't know what else to do," said Lapore.

Wake and Raleigh say revenues were down in their respective budgets, and staff need to fill the gap.

They're both also trying to plan for continued growth and leaders say taxes need to go up.

"Tax increases are the last thing that we want to do," said Wake County Commission Chair Don Mial.

Mayor Janet Cowell said revenues are down this year by about $2 million and a 1.7 cent property tax increase is being proposed.

Cowell says the city is planning to invest much of that money in public safety.

"This is foundational to Raleigh's success and the good news is, we are experiencing downward stats on crime," said Cowell.

Raleigh estimates an additional quarter of a million people will move here by 2050.

Mial says Wake's recently approved 2-cent property tax hike to help with the influx of people.

"We are the largest county in the state of North Carolina, with 1.2 million people. We got 66 people moving into the county every day, and it's not stopping," said Mial.

SEE ALSO | NC lawmakers pass bill to place amendment on ballot that would limit property taxes

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